USCGC POLAR SEA
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Scrapping postponed
Scrapping of the "Polar Sea" has been postponed through the end of 2012, at the request of senators concerned that the government would be left for a time with only one operational icebreaker, the "Healy". On June 15 it was announced that they had reached agreement with the Coast Guard on the postponement. Dismantling of the "Polar Sea" had been scheduled to begin in mid-June. The process would have ripped out the vessel’s hubs and sealed off major portions of the vessel, a key step toward final destruction of the icebreaker. But scrapping the "Polar Sea" would leave the United States with only one operational icebreaker, the "Healy", which was designed primarily as a scientific research vessel and only has medium icebreaking capability. The second heavy-duty icebreaker, the "Polar Star", is currently in Seattle being refitted after years of receiving routine maintenance in caretaker status.
USCGC POLAR SEA
The USCG ice breaker “Polar Sea” encountered engine casualties on June 25 which, will eliminate their fall patrol providing Arctic support to Alaska 2010. The “Polar Sea” was scheduled to support operations in the Arctic as well as Arctic Crossroads 2010 operations in August but will likely be in a maintenance status and unavailable for operations until at least January 2011. The “Polar Sea” was also preparing to conduct oil spill recovery exercises and extending community outreach activities to rural Alaskans Natives in the high latitudes. Inspections of the “Polar Sea”’s main diesel engines revealed premature excessive wear in 33 cylinder assemblies. A root cause failure analysis to determine the underlying cause of the excessive wear is underway and expected to be complete in August.
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